Imphal: Moreh, a border town in Tengnoupal district of Manipur along Myanmar border is on the boil again heavy confrontation between unknown heavily armed men (suspected armed Kuki groups) and Manipur Police continue for the last two days.

Another gunfight between unidentified gunmen and Manipur Police Special Commando in the border town, reportedly claims the lives of at least two armed individuals and injuring four more Commando personnel, in addition to the earlier ambush on Saturday, the 30th December, 2023 where one commando was injured.

The injured police were identified as Rifleman Diliangam Kamson, M. Priyokumar, N. Borjao and M. Sunil.  While the armed attackers who were reportedly killed in the gunfight have been identified as J. Haokip from  Haolenphai Village, near Moreh Border Town and K. Mate from S. Mojol Village(both from Kuki-Zo community).

According to sources from police, after the day's ambush Manipur Police including Special Commando along with Moreh Police, Moreh Commando were doing their duty at the Airtel Sim Installation office building near Moreh Turel Wangma Leikai(locality). And at around 11:40 pm they came under heavy attack by unidentified heavily armed men.

The attackers unleashed a relentless barrage of RPGs and rounds of automatic rifles at the police stationed there to protect law and order in Moreh. The police retaliated and a heavy gun battle ensued and went on till 2 AM of Sunday, the 31st December.

During the gunfight, four commando personnel were injured and of the four two of them are also experiencing hearing impairment due to the impact of the explosion. The injured personnel were immediately given medical attention to the Assam Rifles hospital in Moreh and were taken to Imphal in the morning by chopper and are undergoing treatment.

The attack caused substantial structural damage to the building which is also being used as barracks, bullet proof vehicles showing the severity of the attack. The walls of the building bear bullets and splinters marks from the exploding RPGs. Police have also recovered remnants of a half-exploded RPG Sustainer Motor inside the building.

After a calm situation for almost 13 hours, a gunfight erupted again at the border town between combined forces and unidentified gunmen. The gunfight began at around 4:30 in the late afternoon when gunmen attacked a combined team of Police Commandos and troops of 5th Assam Rifles who were patrolling near Moreh Ward Number 9. Heavy exchange of fire took place and continued till late night. Till the filing of this report, no further casualties were reported on both sides.